January 2026 Hiring Trends:
Where the Opportunities Are
If you’re thinking about making a career move this year, you’re not alone. The job market is showing some fascinating patterns right now, and understanding where the opportunities lie could be the difference between finding your next role quickly or struggling in the search.
The Big Picture: Hiring Is Still Strong
Here’s some encouraging news: 77% of employers are planning to hire in the next 12 months. That’s essentially unchanged from last year, which means despite economic uncertainties, companies are still investing in talent. But here’s what makes this year different – 62% of professionals are planning to move jobs, up from 57% last year. This upward trend in movement means more competition, but also more opportunities as roles open up across the board.
Where the Jobs Are: Key Sectors and Roles
If you’re wondering where to focus your job search, employers are prioritising four main areas:
Specialist technical and digital skills are at the top of every employer’s wish list. Whether you’re in software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, or digital marketing, companies are actively seeking people with these capabilities.
Operational and support functions are seeing significant hiring activity. These are the roles that keep businesses running smoothly – think operations managers, HR professionals, supply chain specialists, and administrative leaders.
Leadership and management positions are also in demand, particularly for those who can guide teams through change and drive business results.
Interestingly, many employers are also choosing to upskill their existing staff rather than hiring externally for certain roles, which brings us to an important point about development.
The Skills Gap: Your Opportunity to Stand Out
Here’s where things get really interesting. A staggering 93% of employers faced skills shortages last year, and this hasn’t improved. The energy sector is particularly struggling to find talent, making it a prime area for opportunity if you have relevant skills or are willing to develop them.
But here’s the game-changer: 80% of employers would hire candidates without all the required skills. Read that again. Companies are so eager for talent that they’re willing to invest in the right people, even if you don’t tick every box on the job description. This is especially true if you demonstrate potential, a willingness to learn, and some foundational knowledge.
AI Skills: The Competitive Edge You Need
If there’s one skill area that could accelerate your career right now, it’s AI. The numbers tell a compelling story:
- 47% of employers are facing moderate or extreme AI skills shortages
- 34% of employees are already using AI regularly at work, up from 24% last year
- 67% of candidates want or need AI training
This creates a massive opportunity. Even basic familiarity with AI tools and understanding how to use them ethically and effectively in your role can set you apart from other candidates. The good news? Many organisations are investing in upskilling their teams, with 56% focusing on employee development.
You don’t need to become a data scientist. Focus on understanding how AI can support your specific role—whether that’s using it to improve customer service, streamline operations, enhance creativity, or make better data-driven decisions.
The Compensation Reality Check
Let’s talk money, because it matters. While 84% of employers increased salaries last year and 80% plan to do so again, there’s a catch. Pay increases have been concentrated at the entry-level and minimum wage positions. If you’re already earning a higher salary, you may have seen little to no growth.
This helps explain why 40% of employees aren’t happy with their pay, an increase from last year. It also explains why 53% of people would accept a lower-paid role for better work-life balance.
When evaluating opportunities, consider the whole package: salary, yes, but also flexibility, career progression, development opportunities, and work-life balance. These factors are increasingly important, with 49% of professionals saying they wouldn’t even consider a job without hybrid working options.
Work-Life Balance: A Growing Concern
Here’s a trend worth paying attention to: job satisfaction around work-life balance is declining. Nearly half of professionals now rate their work-life balance as average or poor, compared to 41% last year. Overtime has become common, and positive work-life balance is harder to achieve.
When interviewing for roles, ask direct questions about workload expectations, overtime culture, and how the company supports employee wellbeing. Hybrid working arrangements, flexibility, and genuine respect for boundaries aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore, they’re essential for long-term career satisfaction.
Contractor Opportunities Are Growing
If traditional employment isn’t for you, or if you want to build specific skills through varied projects, the contractor market is thriving. Employers are turning to contractors for several reasons:
- 53% need specific skills for one-off projects
- 49% want flexibility in staffing costs
- 45% need to meet peaks in demand
- 32% are struggling to find suitable permanent workers
This last point is particularly revealing—companies are so challenged by skills shortages that they’re increasingly open to contractor arrangements. This could be your way into industries or roles that might otherwise seem out of reach.
The AI Reality: What You Need to Know
Let’s get real about AI for a moment. Companies are spending hundreds to thousands monthly on generative AI tools, but many don’t fully understand the impact or measure the real costs. This creates an opportunity for professionals who can help bridge that gap.
The key principle to remember: Use AI ethically, appropriately, and safely.
AI excels at analysis, automation, and speed answering “what is the best answer based on data?” But humans excel at purpose, context, ethics, creativity, and leadership—answering “what should we do, and why does it matter?”
The professionals who will thrive are those who understand both: how to leverage AI’s strengths while bringing uniquely human capabilities to the table. Companies need people who can identify the right AI tool for specific jobs and understand how to integrate technology with human judgment.
Your Action Plan for 2026
Based on these trends, here’s how to position yourself for success:
1. Invest in AI literacy. Even basic knowledge can differentiate you. Learn how AI can enhance your specific role and be prepared to discuss this in interviews.
2. Emphasise your technical and digital skills. Whether you’re in finance, operations, marketing, or any other field, digital fluency is increasingly expected.
3. Don’t be intimidated by job descriptions. If you meet 70-80% of requirements and can demonstrate learning agility, apply anyway. Employers are willing to invest in candidates with potential.
4. Prioritise your wellbeing. With 38% of employers expecting to revise their workforce strategies due to cost pressures, choose employers who genuinely support work-life balance and offer growth opportunities, not just a paycheck.
5. Consider the energy sector and technical trades. These areas have the most acute skills shortages, which often translates to better negotiating power for candidates.
6. Develop your soft skills and leadership abilities. As AI handles more analytical tasks, uniquely human skills—creativity, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, ethical judgment—become even more valuable.
7. Be open to continuous learning. With 56% of organisations focusing on upskilling employees, demonstrate that you’re committed to growth and development.
The job market in 2026 is full of opportunities, but it’s also expanding rapidly. The professionals who will thrive are those who stay curious, adaptable, and proactive about developing skills that matter. Whether you’re looking for your next permanent role or exploring contractor opportunities, the key is to position yourself not just for where the market is today, but where it’s heading.
The doors are open. Now it’s time to walk through them.
